, 1887-10-26
WITH OLD FRIENDS.
1t Is Said that McCoyis In Northern
Carbon County.
Sheltered and Protected by Other
Texas Fugitives.
Probability that Linn Will be Ac,
quilted at Laramie.
Special Dispatch to The Leader.

Special Dispatch to The Leader.
RAwLINs, Wyo. Oct. 24.-The pres
ence of several Laramie county officials
and Stock Inspector Frank Canton in the
section north of Rawlins, has furnished a
subject for all sorts of surmises. 1t is
conceded that they are in search of
Messrs. Mccoy and Leroy. recently of
Cheyenne. Very well. In this connec.
ton three pertinent queries arise in the
mind of one well acquainted with topogra-
ply and people of the section under sur
v~eillance and the character of the pursued
and pursuers. Are the men in this
vicinity? Have they friends here? Can
they be taken if discovered or encount-
cred? To the first two an emphatic affirm
alive is vouchsafed. The last question is
one that presents many phases to a person
cogniLant of the circumstances of the
case.
The fugltives were seen and recognized
at Fort Laramie and three ranches west
of the post. A vigorous search, lasting
two weeks and covering an immense scope
of territory, has failed to reveal a single
trace of the escaped men north of the
river. That the men are travelling west
ward, with the announced intention of
ultimately journeying to the South, is
well known. That they have friends of
their W stripe in the northern portion
OF Carbon county can be asserted without
fear of contradiction by the former init
mates of Mccoy, who have openly boast
ed that they would shelter and defend the
fleeing outlaw.
In a cabin constructed IN one of the
secluded hooks through which the south
branch of the Powder river courses, resides
the Banks family, or more properly
speaking that portion of it which was not
shot or hung for crimes committed pricr
to their emigration from Texas some
seven years ago. They are more exclu-
sive than the most clannish. The wives
and children of the three male members
of this isolated colony have not visited a
settlement since their advent in Carbon
county. The women and children are
excelled in the use of firearms only by
their husbands and fathers. When they
preempted a claim in this section their
earthly possessions comprised two wagon
loads of miscellaneous chattels, prominent
among which was a brace of branding
irons and a costly collection of rifles and
revolvers. To-day they own a large herd
of cattle and any merchant is willing to
tolerate their insolence in order to secure
their custom.
Two years ago a mysterious individual,
since learned to have been a Pinkerton
detective, after making numerous inuui-
rles concerning the family that came
here from Hamilton county, Tex" quiz
city left for the north after comforting
with the sheriff. The brave man was
never seen again and many asserted that
he had been killed by the Banks, who
thus became Wyoming murderers as well
as cattle thieves. The mysterious affair
was investigated by the grand Jury. but no
further action taken.
Llge Banks, when on a spree here last
spring in a fit of bravado asserted that
Bill Mccoy was his cousin, and that they
were neighbors in the Lone Star state.
Eight members of the Banks family are
capable of giving desperate battle to any
equal number of men who ever pulled
trigger or mounted horse. Reinforced by
two such reckless and desperate characters
as Mccoy and his companion a large and
valorous posse would find it no mean task
to conquer the force, the members of
which regard friendship as more binding
than love and life of less value than lib.
erty. especially where a fugitive from JUS
tice is involved.
More than ten days ago a well founded
rumor to the effect that the escaped men
were making for the Banks stronghold
gained currency in this section, and moth
ing could be more natural than that Nc.
Coy should seek his Texas friends.